Shin Kee Beef Noodles Specialist
July 15, 2010 | 1,060 views| 19 Comments » |
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Would you have trusted this “beef noodles specialist”, if not for the positive reviews?
Let’s talk about beef noodles in the Klang Valley today. I have tried Soong Kee beef noodles, Lai Foong beef noodles, and Yang Kee beef noodles over at Taman OUG. But none that managed to entice me for repeated visits over the years. Except for Shin Kee beef noodles on Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock, a stone’s throw away from the entrance to Petaling Street …
He is seemingly the next generation of the original Shin Kee which by the way is still operating over at a stall on Jalan Hang Lekir at night only. (Refer to axian’s blog for more information, but in Chinese)
Fond memories come flooding over me, whenever I speak about this Shin Kee next to Petaling Street. Opens only for breakfast and lunch, I used to patronize this shop (or stall?) whenever I took a bus from Ipoh to Kuala Lumpur that used to stop at Pudu bus station.
So you can imagine a young guy lugging around his backpack, walking almost half a kilometres away in order to get his beef noodles fix. The shop can seat at most, about 20 patrons. Yes, less than 10 tables are set up in the small half-a-premise, hence you have to share a table with strangers if you’re alone or in two’s.
No problem though, for a meal at Shin Kee is almost too clinical; you walk in, go over to the counter and place your order. Straight forward enough as you choose your noodles cooked in soup or dry, then your preferred beef cuts. Finally state whether you want to have a regular portion (RM6.00/USD1.80) or with EXTRAS at RM8.00/USD2.40 per bowl.
Dry Lou Shu Fun (Rat’s Tail Noodles, or Rice Noodles) with the immensely flavourful minced meat topping. Looks dry, but a spoonful or two of the wholesome beef broth and you’re good to go.
Then pick your seat, and wait in anticipation for your beef noodles to come. Thankfully, the shop is air-conditioned hence providing a cool respite from the sweltering heat on the streets. You’re literally eating by the road, as from the comfort of your table, you will still be able to see curious passerby stealing a glance no thanks to the aromatic whiff, and vehicles zooming along Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock.
I usually settle for the tried-and-tested “Kon Low Lou Shu Fun” or dry rat’s tail noodles (short, stubby rice noodles) with a side serving of beef balls and slices of fresh beef in soup.
Unlike most beef noodles outlets, you don’t get radish, or even salted vegetables in the beefy soup. Instead, only the most basic combination of chopped spring onions, and coriander as well as a dash of pepper to complement the already piping hot and flavourful broth punctuated with a robust beefy taste. Maybe you can consider adding the tripe into the ensemble, but I stick to the bouncy balls and tender slices of beef for the best experience.
Deliciously springy beef balls, and tender slices of fresh-cooked beef in a clear, tasty broth
Aside from the RM1.00 increment, Shin Kee has not changed much since I first paid my visit about 8 years ago. Surprise, surprise ……
I have not heard of, nor seen the other Shin Kee stall that operates at night by the elderly couple (presumably the guy’s parents, but can’t be sure), until I watched that episode of Taste of Jason back in May this year. Should be worthy of a visit, since you can’t get good beef noodles at night, aside from Soong Kee. (Which I apologetically admit that I have misplaced the photos …… somewhere in the stash of food shots taken with my handphone ages ago)
“Whatcha looking at, Motormouth?!!”
SHIN KEE BEEF NOODLES SPECIALIST
7A, Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock,
55100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Telephone : 6012-673 7318/6017-238 8331 (info from Malaysia Most Wanted Food)
Business hours : 10.30am – 3.30pm daily.
Closed on Wednesdays.
Here’s a GOOGLE MAP to Shin Kee Beef Noodles Specialist.
* You will see this small shop a block away from the entrance to Petaling Street. Directly opposite of Lai Foong Restaurant, which is also famous for their beef noodles. *
Other takes on Shin Kee – Babe in the City, The Star’s article on Metro back in 2008, Kampungboycitygal, Eating Asia and Sixth Seal
I think I passed by this shop before last time… hmmm.. but i never try before, it was few years back then.. hahaha.. the beef noodles looks really tasty to me
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So good that the store can continue on from one generation to another……..
And they are still yummy… How rare!
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This place is a real oldie and quite a fav with old timers. competent and light and much better than the down & out one in corner Lrg Tongshin near Jln Imbi ( with the Big Cow on top )
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Hmmm… with the specialist suffix to the name, it’s kind of intriguing as to what one will discover in the taste. Despite not yet trying this place, im raring to have a go!
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J2Kfm Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 4:07 pm
Please do, for the cramped space and sitting on stools will remind one of dining in Hong Kong’s char chan teng.
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woo.. I’ve passed by this place a couple of times.. just didn’t stop by to have a bowl.. I heard its good..
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J2Kfm Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 4:24 pm
Try it, the portion ain’t too hearty, which is good since you can do a food hunt around Petaling Street area ….
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Eh the auntie was just there 2 weeks back. She went to the other stall now?!?!?!
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J2Kfm Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 4:06 pm
Not sure, Kelvin, but from Serene’s comment, it seems that the son handles the day session, while the parents run the night stall.
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The young guy in brown polo shirt in your 2nd photo of the blog, he is the latest generation for Shin Kee! He’s been out here helping his parent for like a year or two (if not mistaken) back, mainly in charged of the daytime operation while the parent focuses for the night biz. =)
//Btw, great photos and write up James!
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J2Kfm Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 4:06 pm
Thanks Serene, I could have guessed that he’s the new generation of Shin Kee. No memories of him being there the last few years though.
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I think I know where this place is. Usually would pass by the shop when I’m taking nite bus from KL back to Ipoh but they’re close at nite. Not sure about their new operating hours now.
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J2Kfm Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 3:52 pm
Closed at night also, I think. I usually had my lunch there only. A nightmare if you’re driving, but when I took the bus from Ipoh-KL, never failed to have a bowl of beefy goodness here, or at Lai Foong opposite the road.
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I only tried the OUG (Yang Kee) & Ngau Kee @ Jln Tong Shin
This place is facing main road where many buses will passby? So much dust ler…. O.O
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J2Kfm Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 3:50 pm
Haha, somewhat. But it’s like eating by the streets, but with air-conditioning. Not bad, and I had no bad memories of getting stomach ache or whatnot after eating here.
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i agreed with J, hopefully the next generation will retain the taste and all. the one at tengkat tong shin aka Ngiu Kee really doesnt lived up to his parents’ days
at night they’re operating right in the heart of chinatown, at the start of the backlane of Hong Leong Bank.
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Eaten this before a few times,. Tried both the soupy as well as dry versions. IMHO, The dry version is better. Good stuff!
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J2Kfm Reply:
July 20th, 2010 at 9:24 pm
For me, dry version of noodles is always nicer. Unless it’s pork noodles.
The slurry of minced meat at Shin Kee is intense, very beefy and coat the noodles well.
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being a beef ball noodle person, i still haven’t tried this place even though i’ve heard of it. i stand by Jalan Silang’s version though. the texture of the egg noodles at Yang Kee, for example, doesn’t hold a candle to Soong Kee’s. Didn’t find Ngau Kee (Tung Shin) particularly memorable either.
wonder if Shin Kee does egg noodles too, cos i think Lai Foong doesnt…
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